It was all wonderful, a magnificent evening, despite the afternoon all the sky had clouded over and it had started to rain, the evening reserved for us a time without rain, a beautiful temperature, and a fantastic show.
It started on time and it was 2 and a half hours of songs, 27 songs, without ever a break.
Every now and then some comic joke or some serious dedication, made by them, and the respect, always between the three of them, so evident, as well as the affection that surrounds them.
A small premise, the seats of the Arena are very narrow and in front of me there were two ladies who every now and then blocked the view to the camera with their heads.
I have not taken all the songs, and of some I have only taken a small piece, because I have noticed that Sony freezes the complete videos. That said, sorry if the videos aren’t great, but being there in front of them is hard to keep quiet and unmoved to get good videos !!
The glance of the Arena, full of people, is always absolutely priceless.
The start of the concert, was a surprise start, after the entrance of the orchestra, we all waited for their appearance on the stage, but no, they appeared in the audience, from behind, on the three ways between the seats and little by little they advanced, people got up, and shouted: ”they are there, they are there” and the three of them surrounded by people, slowly went up to the stage to sing ECSTASY OF GOLD.
People seemed crazy, all standing, nothing could be seen and even the camera’s focus was compromised,
Luckily my friend Francesca Brazzale was also in the audience, who makes beautiful videos and which many I will attach here, with her approval, thanks Francesca. 😘
Immediately after they sang the intro, then starts NESSUN DORMA. They prefer to put this song at the beginning, because you need all the power of their voices not yet tired from singing.
Note Ignazio who continues to wave his hand to the fans he recognizes, he reminded me of the kindergarten children who greet their parents from the stage, at their first performance, very sweet Ignazio.❤
Immediately after, IL MONDO followed, always beautiful and that makes everyone sing, and listen to it from the voices of Il Volo, wonderful!
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca were almost never still on stage, they went from one side to the other to please the audience and it was difficult to follow one or the other.
The choreographies that alternated on the big screens behind them are very beautiful.
At this point, after three songs, Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca take a breath for one of their spoken skits that I will translate for you.
Always witty our three men !!
IGNAZIO: Let us take off the headphones to hear your voices and greet you.
PIERO = After two and a half years.
IGNAZIO = Welcome again, we met last night, right? (Because on the evening of June 2, Il Volo sang a tribute to Lucio Dalla in the Arena, together with many other artists).
GIANLUCA = We met yesterday, but it’s incredible, after two years, two and a half years …..
IGNAZIO = But they are not the same people as last night, they are different !!! ???? (Ignazio says so, because the press often wrote that Il Volo sang in pizzerias, or that they used the photos of other singers to show how many people there were, therefore, Ignazio says it ironically, to emphasize that these people are not the same as the previous day.)
GIANLUCA = No, they weren’t the same, and…. I sometimes forget that I am a singer ……
PIERO = But sorry, because let’s say 2 and a half years, if last year, June 5th, we did a concert ?….
GIANLUCA = Yes, first of all …. excuse me for a moment (he says to Ignazio, but Ignazio won’t let him speak)
IGNAZIO = But that was a taste, they were all left with the desire in their mouth … like a small taste of vodka, just one, that’s enough.
GIANLUCA = We are a little rusty, we haven’t played concerts for a long time, so forgive us for the gaffes, let’s start like this. (applause, my voice is heard saying “bravo”)
PIERO = We are very happy.
GIANLUCA = It’s nice to see you again after a long time …. (Ignazio raises his hand and asks to speak) … what is it?
IGNAZIO = You feel rusty, it’s you who are rusty, I went through the rust inhibitor this morning (laughter)
PIERO = Now, here, whatever you say … in three, in three (in the sense that Gianluca speaks in the name of all three), you, speak in the singular.
GIANLUCA = (to Ignazio) You never change !!
IGNAZIO = I know, but the thing we have in common is that we are always hungry … (laughter)
PIERO = Today in an interview, I said: “I’m very peaceful tonight, excited, I’m just afraid of one thing, of him (Ignazio – laughter). 😁 So, forgive me, but I’ll put my hands forward….
IGNAZIO = But you, you’ve been afraid every time for 10 years …
PIERO = Will there be a reason ???😁😁😁
IGNAZIO = I understand but, either you resign yourself to the idea of fear and let the fear pass by yourself …..
GIANLUCA = By now you know us well, we are like a big family, some of you know us really well, we finally feel at home.
PIERO = Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will sing for you….
IGNAZIO = Excuse me ….
PIERO = Tonight we will sing for you the songs that have accompanied us in these thirteen years of career. This project will include some songs from the last project (Morricone) and also from the project from three years ago, it will be a summary and a journey, during these years.
These years of friendship ….❤
GIANLUCA = Of music 😘…. and of
IGNAZIO = And to … (he makes the gesture of hassle) 😁😁
PIERO = How is the translation of this gesture ….. ah beautiful !!! 😁
Master…
Starts SE TELEFONANDO, but the video ends before the song
They continue with a very sweet moment, approach the piano where Maestro Grani is and begin to sing the beautiful song SE, taken from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
After the song Piero says some beautiful words, that he gets very excited when he sings this song, because it is about a Sicilian who …..
PIERO = ….. to pursue his dream as a director, he leaves his homeland, he is forced to leave his homeland. Every time I leave for a tour, fortunately I am a privileged guy, when we leave our homes, our cities, we leave them for good things, for what we are doing tonight, but there is always that …..
IGNAZIO = Melancholy ….
GIANLUCA = That basic nostalgia ….
PIERO = …… that incurable nostalgia and therefore I cried a lot, (watching that movie) because I see myself in that child. When I sing this song, those who know me well, see me quite moved by it.
Now, with a beautiful accompanying choreography, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca sing the sweet YOUR LOVE.
In the end, Ignazio rolls his eyes upward, and sends a sweet message to those who are no longer there.
The solos begin, and the first to perform is Ignazio who explains that he wants to propose a new song….
IGNAZIO= (Between one song and another, the lights were sometimes turned off, to allow the change of place)
I need to speak to the light man, if he paid the bill, nothing, because the lights go out every time, (the lights come on) thanks Manu! (Ignazio blows a kiss)
So, we find ourselves here, after a year, having to do another solo, and I asked myself:
“What am I doing this year?”
Also because it is not so simple to choose a song, because it can be too obvious, or too ambitious, therefore, I follow in the wake of what I have tried to do in recent years, I sing what some men have never sung, so if I do a bad figure, I’m the only one, understand?
But also this year I decided to sing a very famous song, which we all know and after you will help me sing, by a great artist, which I hope sooner or later we will have the honor of singing with her.
Ladies and Gentlemen, taken from the Celine Dion album Falling into You:
ALL BY MYSELF
Really very good Ignazio, what a thrill, what a voice, what a passion …. a beautiful standing ovation for you. ❤
But here Gianluca is ready, sitting on the piano, it’s his turn: YOUR SONG by Elton John.
Gianluca is also very good, a beautiful interpretation and her warm velvety voice ….Another standing ovation. ❤
And now it’s up to Piero, for him E LUCEVAN LE STELLE from Tosca.
All up for Piero, we know this air well, but every time Piero is always better, Piero, very well !! People were enchanted. ❤
The next song is presented. (I only picked up one piece of the song)
But first, Ignazio makes a nice speech that I have only taken up at the bottom, but which I remember well. He says that they have to thank the fans, not only for the great affection, but also because coming to their concerts doesn’t just mean spending money on tickets, but for many people, also spending on travel and hotel expenses ….
IGNAZIO= ….. and therefore we thank you for always being with us and we dedicate to you:
UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE
It’s time for duets and Gianluca and Piero begin with the always beautiful:
MY WAY
(It’s just a short piece of the song)
We have heard it many times, but every time, Gianluca and Piero amaze us, this song seems to be made for the two of them and people like it very much. ❤❤
Here too Ignazio explains that he and Gianluca often made duets …..
IGNAZIO = What have we done ??
GIANLUCA = We made Maria from West Side Story.
IGNAZIO = West side story, and then, what did we do?
GIANLUCA = We also did …..
IGNAZIO = He doesn’t even remember … (laughter)
But this year we decided to change again and sing a very significant song, especially for us, it was in the pandemic, and it is today too.
Let’s pretend it is a prayer, a prayer for everything that is happening and that has happened in the past months and that continues to happen, unfortunately.
So we want to address this prayer to those who are not making it, to those who are suffering, to those who are more unfortunate than us, unfortunately. (applause) ❤
HALLELUJA begins.
We are all speechless, what a wonderful duet, what a wonderful song and sung with so much love.
Amazing to see the looks of satisfaction that pass between Gianluca and Ignazio and in the end, that nice hug, I think they were both moved, the scenography behind them evoked the stained glass windows of the cathedrals and the whole Arena was full of beautiful lights, and the audience gave a nice standing ovation. ❤
The time has come for the duet between Piero and Ignazio and another surprise, Piero says that when Ignazio proposed to him to do this duet he replied that he was crazy, but then they tried to do it by themselves and they had fun, so they called the management and proposed singing the aria from Rigoletto:
LA DONNA È MOBILE
The people all stood for the standing ovation.
Incredibly, I never thought that opera arias were liked so much and Ignazio and Piero were fantastic !! What voices, what interpreters, wonderful. ❤❤
But how beautiful is the final embrace between Ignazio and Piero?
A song also to make people sing, and we all sing for:
IO CHE NON VIVO SENZA TE.
You know it too, it is also sung in an English version.
A nice medley of two beautiful songs from Il Volo follows.
I liked the idea of merging them, it starts with:
L’AMORE SI MUOVE combined with MUSICA CHE RESTA(in the video only Musica Che Resta, the video at the end is blurred)
It’s the turn of three other solos, and this time Gianluca begins.
GIANLUCA = It’s strange to be here without the other two. 😁😁
Tonight I will sing a song that was part of my adolescence, of my musical inspiration. I grew up listening to many singers, from Andrea Bocelli, of course, but I was also inspired by the great American voices like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, but above all the great Elvis Presley.
I have been singing this song for years and I have grown a little with her, because she has also formed me a little artistically.
Tonight I want to dedicate it to a person who is here ❤ (he points to Eleonora, his girlfriend), and I will sing:
CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE
How sweet Gianluca, you gave the best of yourself.
During the well-deserved applause he also sent a kiss to his beloved 😘
Piero follows with his workhorse, the magnificent:
NO PUEDE SER(which I have not registered)
Ignazio, instead, does not play a second solo.
The boys ask the audience to stand up, it’s time to dance and sing with:
VOLARE(which I have not registered)
Another nice medley:
SURRENDER and O SOLE MIO. (In the video there is only a piece of O Sole Mio)
Very nice the idea of the medley between two songs that have the same theme.
According to my sequence of songs, we got to the finale, but I already told you that I didn’t record all the songs, and not having recorded them, I don’t remember what order they were in, but they, definitely sang too:
GRANADA
DELILAH
LIBIAMO NE’ LIETI CALICI from TRAVIATA
and then three more that Francesca Brazzale recorded and therefore I propose to you:
CARUSO that Il Volo sings divinely!
HERE’S TO YOU, sung among the audience.
Kristen, who is a member of Flight Crew, I see very well how you hugged Ignazio, I hope you will send us the photo!!
We are at the final, the beautiful GRANDE AMORE could not be missing, in the new more rock version, with which Il Volo closes the magnificent evening.
A beautiful shower of golden confetti in the air and it’s all over.
Great applause and all the people were very happy with this beautiful concert.
What can I say, the Il Volo concerts are magnificent and the three of them are adorable, elegant and polite. ❤❤❤❤
The Filarmonia Veneta orchestra and its young conductor are very good, as are the members of the band: maestro Grani on the piano, Bruno Farinelli on drums and the two guitarists.
All summarized in this short video.
Please click on the photo below to view the video.
Concert Compilation
Tomorrow everything repeats itself and then Taormina and then slowly, the road to get to you becomes shorter and shorter!
Another year’s gone by! Another New Year’s Eve is arriving! I’m going to say what I say every year! This is my least favorite holiday! To me it’s a sad day because we remember all those who we lost over the years, and we think of them in a different way than we do on other days. We think that they left us too soon and over the last two years too quickly!
What made this year different?I’m going to say the same thing I did last year! You wake up every morning and turn on the news and no matter where you live New York, Italy, Germany, Russia, Australia, the news is the same – Wash Your Hands! Wear a Mask! Social Distance!
What do we all do on New Year’s Eve? We make resolutions. They usually last about a week and then it’s back to our old ways. But now we’ve forgotten about resolutions! For two year’s we are wrapped up in a world that refuses to go back to normal. No, I don’t buy the idea that this is the new normal. So, we find ourselves not saying what we are resolved to do but instead “When Will This All End???”
Those we left behind!
Then there’s the part of New Year’s that always brings to mind those who have left us! And that makes me so sad! This year, hundreds of thousands of people felt the loss of one person, Vito Boschetto. Yes, we all remember the announcement that shocked us! We had no idea he was ill and then he was gone.
We watched Ignazio step on the stage at Sanremo and courageously sing “Your Love,” and we all cried. It seems strange that so many people had the same reaction, but it goes back to what I’ve been talking about these last three weeks, “Family.” As we watched our guys go from amazing teenage boys to handsome young men who are phenomenal entertainers, we saw a transformation. Three strangers who stepped on a stage in 2009 are now three very handsome young men but more importantly they are, “Brothers!”
And as to their families, they went from three families to one. When we saw the boys, we saw the parents. Such an unusual situation! This led us to open our hearts to their families and thus we all became one,“Il Volo Family!”
When the news of Vito arrived, we immediately thought of Ignazio and how tragic it was to lose his father at such a young age. But we also learned something about Ignazio, and I think Piero said it best when he said he set an example for all of us with his courage.
When Ignazio stepped on that stage at Sanremo we had no idea how he or the guys would react. There were tears but above all there was a phenomenal performance to honor Vito. Ignazio knew this is where his father wanted him to be.
Mr. Boschetto was a man who worked very hard for his family. He was a mason, a brick layer. He worked at this job right up to the last days of his life. Ignazio would tell you that his mom and dad had worked at many jobs, and they tried to learn any trade, just to earn some extra money for the family.
This is what Ignazio had to say about his parents. “Is it the same if the images that I will never forget are …. the memories of my parents? It’s not that I’m crazy or strange, it’s right that my story would never have existed without my parents …. Of sacrifices they have made many and, big for me and for my sister but, more so for me. I do not spend a day when I do not think about how proud I am of them.”
In July 2004 when the family moved back to Marsala. Caterina’s dream was to open a pizzeria and Vito’s dream was to make Caterina’s dream come true. Every day for one year, when Vito returned from worked, he built the pizzeria. Every free moment Ignazio had, he worked alongside his father so that his mother could realize her dream. A year later the pizzeria was completed, and this led to another dream, Ignazio’s discovery and Ti Lascio una Canzone.
Since Ignazio was underage when he started to tour, he had to have a parent with him. The traveling was shared by his parents. When Vito returned from a tour he would return to his work. He never tried to make his life easy. What he did, he did for his children and would only accept their love in return.
What can I say about Vito? Vito was a simple man! A humble man who taught his children to be kind and humble and to live lives that they could be proud of.
It is not every man that passes through this life that can say he was able to fulfill his son’s dream. A dream that would bring him fame.
Vito we will all miss your presence at the concerts because you are a part of our Il Volo family, but you will be missed by Caterina, Ignazio and Nina every day of their lives but especially at this time of the year when our thoughts go back to the people who left us over the years!
He is gone but the memories never go away especially when they are moments that Ignazio shared with his dad as they traveled around the world together!
Certainly, there were many ups and downs this past year but what the guys did really made up for all the lost concerts! So, let’s move forward to the successes of the past year!
To understand what happened, we need to go back to the guy’s final performance for 2020, their mini-Concert at Piazza Pio XII on Christmas Day. And here the guys sent us their final greeting for the year!
Gianluca: On this special day when we all feel close from afar, we wanted to find a way to wish you all happy holidays.
Ignazio: And we did so in the way that best suits us, through music from this gorgeous square where we feel like we are enveloped in a welcoming embrace.
Piero: We hope this holiday season may bring a smile to your homes and warm your hearts. On this “Oh holy night” we wish to dedicate every single note and every single word to you all.
Then came the announcement that they would pay tribute to Ennio Morricone with a Concert in Piazza Pio XII next June 5th! Unfortunately, because of Covid and the fact that perhaps upwards of one million people would attend, it was decided that the performance would not take place at Piazza Pio XII instead it would be at the ancient Arena of Verona!
And then the journey began from Melpignano to Verona and beyond!
“La Notte della Taranta”, is one of the largest Festivals in Italy and one of the most significant manifestations of popular culture in Europe. The final concert of La Notte della Taranta, has had as many as one hundred and fifty thousand spectators in the past. It takes place in Salento, in the municipality of Melpignano, at the esplanade of the former Augustinian Convent specifically for the rediscovery and the enhancement of traditional Salento music. It is not limited to traditional music. It also allows for rock, jazz and symphonic music. This year’s host was Albano, a native son of Apulia, and his special guests where Il Volo.
Listen to the voices of our guys coming alive backstage! It’s a calling! “Who sells olives.”
Meanwhile Albano awaits their arrival on stage. He tells us about the song. It is from the region of Apulia, the region where he was born. He says, “It reminds me of the autumn song. It is the November song.”
November is the time of the olive harvest, and a man would always pass with a cart of olives to sell to the people. Albano and Ignazio sing a phrase in the Apulian dialect (“Who has olives, I have to buy them.”) Albano said when Modugno sang in the Apulian dialect he was very proud of him. Ignazio said, “So let’s hope, with this next song we will sing, you will be even more proud of your land.”
And then the awards began.
The 78th Filming Italy Movie Awards
In the afternoon the guys attended the award presentations where they were presented as winners of the 78th Film Italy Movie Awards. Upon exiting the building, they were interviewed by an unknown man…
Man: This is not Sanremo, this is the cinema exhibition!
PIero: But it seems a little like Sanremo, we meet, all familiar faces.
Gianluca: We are preparing a very ambitious recording project which is a tribute to maestro Ennio Morricone. We had the opportunity to collaborate with Vittorio Storaro in a music video, so we are here in the company of a great master of cinema, Vittorio Storaro.
Ignazio: He chose our voices for a tribute of the video of “Your Love,” which is shot in the Frasassi Caves, and therefore it is beautiful, this is not the first time we come here. It is always a beautiful atmosphere. Venice is a place that is stupendous.
So, let’s go back to the ancient Arena of Verona and the Seat Music Awards.
Prior to the guy’s performance, the stage was set up with multi color lights and when the guys arrived on stage, I think they were even surprised. The stage was lit as it was for last year’s performance. Very simple, very plain but what was going on in the audience was a totally different story. All phones were lit up. It was magic.
They stepped on stage in their beautiful but informal all black attire. Elegant in its simplicity!
As they came face to face with the audience, I could see the emotion in their faces.
Look at how these people love them and how they love their fans!
The DIVA Award
Then Carlo Conti presented the guys with their DIVA award
Carlo said, “I seriously read the inscription: Arena di Verona Award for Il Volo, for the tribute project to Ennio Morricone, represented with great success right here at the Verona Arena, live on RAI1, and for the over 10 years of career, which led them to be known and appreciated representatives of Italian music in the world.”
This song is slowly becoming a signature song! A song that reminds us of sadness but brings us to a new and exciting time in the lives of our guys! It’s as if Vito left them a final gift, a new and exciting adventure in their lives. It is the song that will lead the way in their new tour around the world. Always before them will be this song and the movie which has already and continues to make its mark in history!
And then on Christmas Eve!
After the Mass celebrated by the Pope, greetings from Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero are broadcast on RAI1 and, from the Frasassi caves, the sweet song: “O Holy Night.”
Gianluca: The most beautiful things in life are not that far away, they are close to us, they are within us.
Ignazio: I am inside this magnificent place that never ceases to enchant us.
Piero: We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The performance in the Frassasi Caves took the whole Morricone message to another level. Suddenly things were happening so fast. The guys seemed to be everywhere.
When speaking of the guy’s performance in the movie, Vittorio Storaro says, “Il Volo, in this case becomes a symbol, as, not only does it enter the womb of the earth, it first regenerates the energy of life, but it can do it in all the squares, in all the theaters, in all the places of the world, and that, certainly is what music is, nevertheless it carries a great message of love.”
Italy what have you to say about your guys now. You have got to be so proud of them. Look at how they shine in the world! But there was never a problem in recognition. We in America have always been proud of them and called them our own. I hope this project will allow them to spend more time in the US! Maybe at the Academy Awards.
On November 5th Il Volo Sings Morricone was released and that was followed by the 2022 World Tour Dates
I opened this story with Vito, and I would like to close it with him.
When the guys were on Domenica In, this past Sunday, there were some very emotional moments. Ignazio talked about an incident when they were filming with Vittorio Storaro. He said, when they were recording “Your Love” at Grotte di Frasassi, Maestro Storaro wanted to get a new and deeper emotion from each one of them, so he gave them some advice. When it was Ignazio’s moment to sing his own part, he asked Maestro for more advice. Storaro told him “Ignazio forget about where you are. There’s just you and the camera… and think about a person dear to you”, and so Ignazio did, and he ended his part in tears and cried for 15 minutes.
Mara asked him who he thought about, and Ignazio explained, “Your Love” is really important because we sang it at Sanremo only three days after the death of my dad so I will always associate that song with those days.”
Gianluca added, “The new album is dedicated to Vito.” Piero said that Ignazio showed them all that his dad was such a great man, and that Ignazio has all his esteem. Gianluca added that, when they arrived at the Ariston Theatre for the rehearsal, Fiorello hugged Ignazio tightly for three minutes because he knows what he was feeling since he had been there too when his own dad died at 58 years old. Gianluca said that that moment really moved all the people who were there with them.
Beautiful emotions to end an emotional 2021!
Finally, how do I sum up this year? As I mentioned last year! Every morning when I get up, I sing. What do I sing? “Smile!” Is it because of the guys? Well, I certainly love when the guys sing “Smile,” but no, I’ve been singing this song since I was a child because….
I believe no matter what happened yesterday, today has the possibility to be better, so, “Smile, just Smile.”
And today I’m thinking of the smile of one person. You know who you are. I dedicate this article to you. Always be happy! Never stop smiling.
So that about sums up “Another New Year’s Eve!”
Happy New Year Piero, Ignazio & Gianluca!
New Year’s 2022
Happy New Year to All the Fans!
Looking forward to meeting many of you on the World Tour next year!
See you next year when I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
If you would like to read the full story of Vito Boschetto, go to www.ilvoloflightcrw.com and search Vito Boschetto ~ A Simple, Humble Man
And here is another of the events of this hot September that has arrived: the SEAT Music Awards.
Il Volo participated and received a special award.
Do you remember, during the press conference that Il Volo had before the concert in Verona, the mayor had said that Il Volo would be rewarded with a specially made statue, which represents a woman with the Arena on her head as a crown.
This award was presented to them last evening.
Rehearsals for the show began in the afternoon at the Verona Arena.
Here is a short video of the singing rehearsals.
Even if very short, you have certainly recognized Your Love. Too bad there will only be one song.
They were briefly interviewed by RAI Radio 2.
Click the photo below to view the video.
NEK = Here we are guys.
PIERO = Good evening gentlemen, welcome. (Piero pretends to be the one running the program) 😁
GIANLUCA = But it’s not you …..
NEK = You can’t steal the show ….
IGNAZIO = He had also prepared the sheet !! 😁
NEK = What should you have said ???
PIERO = (pretends to read) And now we have Il Volo, Arena of Verona special award ….
WOMAN = Guys, you were really, really good, when you were conducting (the concert), because you conducted in every sense, we have to say it, really in a very nice way, this is my opinion and I wanted to tell you ….
IGNAZIO + GIAN = Thank you
PIERO = Are you sure you have watched the whole program?
WOMAN = I watched it and I did all the live coverage on RAI2.
PIERO = OK
WOMAN = I was commenting on the live broadcast, so I followed it all.
PIERO = Thanks
WOMAN = Because you have kept the freshness of your years, if I may say my opinion.
IGNAZIO = Look, if you want I can tell you a little anecdote from that evening.
WOMAN = You’re welcome
IGNAZIO = We were preparing the show and, as is done in all TV shows, the spoken words were all written. The day before, during the dress rehearsal, we eliminated everything and said “let’s go free” (he means without reading the hunchback) , because it’s not us, we are three guys who like it ….☺😉
NEK = Therefore you should have read the hunchback ….
IGNAZIO = Yes, instead we only read the institutional things, and I also got them wrong ….
WOMAN = No, that’s not true, you did well
IGNAZIO = Like the Legambiente ad with the turtle Carella, Casella …
WOMAN = Caretta Caretta, he didn’t even learn it later …
GIANLUCA = Yes, he didn’t even learn it later (laughter)
IGNAZIO = So I screwed up, but we had fun.
WOMAN = This is very nice and above all it was nice to do it in that context, when you had “a giant” to deal with. (I think she means live RAI)
NEK = Now, what do you do ?? A trip around the world, always ??
IGNAZIO = Now we start in March of next year, finally with the concerts, we start from America, then there is all of Europe, Japan, New Zealand …. we have fun.
NEK = Ohhh, good luck then.
WOMAN = Guys, then have a good trip. What can I tell you now, have a good trip and a good concert.
GIANLUCA = Good flight, because we will take so many planes.
WOMAN = It is usually better not to say it (for superstition)
IGNAZIO = No, you can say it, we go against everything.
NEK = Bring me a present.
WOMAN = Thanks guys, thanks to Il Volo.
IGNAZIO = November 5th !!!
They were interviewed by Radio Italia(for now there is only the photo).
Before the evening!
GIANLUCA = Please, don’t miss the SEAT Music Awards tonight.
I’ll show you how beautiful the Arena is.
And here we are at the evening.
What thrills this song, what poignant memories it evokes. Always beautiful the execution by Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio.
The three of them, good, beautiful, dressed with informal elegance.
The response of the audience was very nice, slowly turning on the Arena with thousands of lights, a gesture that surprised even the boys.
Only one song, unfortunately, but what a song.
Here is the interview after the song.
GIANLUCA = Good evening everyone.
CARLO CONTI = Il Volo, to start these SEAT Music Awards in the best way.
VANESSA INCONTRADA = And what an atmosphere they (the audience) created for you, with all the mobile phones on, great emotion I saw in your faces.
GIANLUCA = We are happy to see you again.
VANESSA = Us too
CARLO = Us too, us too.
GIANLUCA = Finally in the Arena.
VANESSA = Finally, but it has now become your home.
CARLO = In short, I mean, you did an extraordinary event on RAI1 just dedicated as a tribute to Maestro Morricone.
PIERO = We had the honor of paying homage to Maestro Morricone here at the Arena di Verona, for us, the audience, for an artist, for a singer, it is oxygen.
It was an evening full of guests, but for us, the biggest guest was the audience.
After a year and a half, see them again, sing for them!
VANESSA = We understand these words well, but will you take this event to the world? I guess so.
IGNAZIO = Yes, we start in March 2022, we finally start with the world tour and we finish in September – October, from America, we end up in Japan and then New Zealand, so beautiful.
VANESSA = You have few things to do, let’s say. 😉
IGNAZIO = Yes, but it is wonderful, after almost two years, to start singing again.
I remember that a year ago, in this same program, we said …. let’s hope it starts again, the music can’t stop …. and meet again after a year and see that the music has never stopped, it’s beautiful! 😘❤
VANESSA = Seeing them (the audience), as you said, involved with you, is nice.
CONTI = A beautiful concert, a beautiful television event, but there is a tribute album to Ennio Morricone, when will this album be released?
GIANLUCA = Let’s say that it is a very ambitious project, that with great responsibility, right on tiptoe and a lot of humility, we decided to undertake this path which is a musical project that is a tribute to all the most beautiful soundtracks of the maestro Morricone.
PIERO = And tonight we announce the date.
GIANLUCA = Yes, because this record will be released on November 5th, from Cinema Paradiso, to Once Upon a Time in the West, to the Good, the Ugly, the Bad.
VANESSA = His greatest songs, let’s say. (of Morricone)
GIANLUCA = And we can’t wait to leave (to start the tour).
CARLO = Well a great album and therefore it will be released on November 5th.
The ARENA DI VERONA award, depicting a diva, a wonderful diva who has a crown on her head that has the shape of the Verona Arena, and was made by the sculptor Rudy Capatta, is delivered by two champions: Marco Giallini and Giorgio Panariello.
(after the greetings, Carlo Conti reads the inscription)
CARLO = I seriously read the inscription:
Arena di Verona Award at Il Volo, for the tribute project to Ennio Morricone, represented with great success right here at the Verona Arena, live on RAI1, and for the over 10 years of career, which led them to be known and appreciated representatives of Italian music in the world.
(final thanks)
Many beautiful photos:
Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio with the Arena award. ❤❤❤
But certainly and undoubtedly, this is the most beautiful photo. ❤
A gesture full of meaning, which we can all understand.
A direct line with those who are no longer there, a silent dedication.
The two friends who hold him close and a look up there.
But today, Sunday 5th, is also the day of Venice, and therefore we travel vertically in Italy and arrive in Venice yesterday with the beautiful images of Gianluca and Piero.
In St. Mark’s square, with Storaro and Torpedine.
And here they are Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca upon their arrival at the conference.
Our boys are dressed very casually.
Gianluca always stands out for elegance.
A short interview with the boys.
MAN = This is not Sanremo, this is the cinema exhibition !! 😁
PIERO = But it seems a little Sanremo, we meet, all familiar faces.
GIANLUCA = We are preparing a very ambitious recording project which is a tribute to maestro Ennio Morricone. We had the opportunity to collaborate with Vittorio Storaro in a music video, so we are here in the company of a great master of cinema, Vittorio Storaro.
IGNAZIO = He chose our voices for a tribute of a video of YOUR LOVE, which is shot in the Frasassi Caves, and therefore it is beautiful, it is not the first time we come, and it is always a beautiful atmosphere, Venice is a place stupendous.
And here is the short video of the conference with Tiziana Rocca as the awards presenter.
TR = With us: IL VOLO ❤
Guys, this year you made this tribute, thanks to a teacher who we will then present, so you are lucky enough to bring Morricone’s music to the world.
GIANLUCA = We are undertaking a rather ambitious project, with great responsibility, we also have the support of the Morricone family, a musical project with all the most beautiful soundtracks, sung in English and Italian, we presented it at the Arena di Verona, this recording project will be released in November with: Cinema Paradiso, Once upon a time in America, L’estasi dell’oro, sung for the first time.
PIERO = We thank the master Vittorio Storaro for choosing us for this tribute to his great friend Ennio Morricone, for this short film in the Frasassi Caves.
TR = In fact, I also want to thank the mayor of Genga (where Frasassi is) Marco Filipponi and also the presence of the Marche region. Tonight we will see this special video of yours that you brought us, this gem, this gift from the master Storaro.
PIERO = Thank you master, thank you all.
IGNAZIO = Thank you.
GIANLUCA = It is a pleasure to be here with all of you, really.
TR = Our master: Vittorio Storaro. Maestro, the two of us have known each other for many years, you are a legend.
The video with the words of the director Vittorio Storaro.
The idea actually comes from what we have been through all this last year, the disgrace that has happened to us from the pandemic, which has closed all the arts a little.
But then there is an idea and it comes from Pirandello, who said: One, Nobody, One Hundred Thousand (it is the title of a novel by Pirandello), in this case it becomes a Once upon a time, as the project of Il Volo , of the music of Ennio Morricone, starts from Once upon a Time in the West, directed by a great director, Sergio Leone, with the music of Morricone, the subject of Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento, so there is a whole series of characters that carry some new message.
A message that also becomes a hope, not only in the present, but also in the future, because if before, once upon a time Nobody, an art enters, which is Music and Singing, which is represented by Il Volo, which in a song with the music of Ennio Morricone from Your Love, it brings a new energy, energy that practically becomes: Once upon a time there was no one, – Il Volo, – Centomila.
So we will see that Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio multiply. When they descend from that blessed rope where the first boys went down here in the caves many years ago (50), it is a little like entering a seed into mother earth and thus forming a new generation, which is the generation of the future.
Il Volo, in this case, becomes a symbol, as, not only does it enter the womb of the earth, it regenerates the energy of life, but it can do it in all the squares, in all the theaters, in all the places of the world, in that, certainly what is music, nevertheless carries a great message of love.
Il Volo, – Ennio Morricone, – Once upon a time …….
And here they are ready for the evening, the moment in which the short film by Vittorio Storaro, interpreted by Il Volo, shot in the Frasassi caves, in memory of Ennio Morricone, for the event Premio Filming Italy Best Movie.
And here they are on the red carpet, with Storaro and his daughter.
Very elegant Piero Ignazio and Gianluca in their Dolce and Gabbana evening dress.
Ignazio has cut his beard, bravo !!
But how beautiful and elegant are these three ??? ❤❤❤
And here is the moment of the award ceremony.
Premio Filming Italy Best Movie Awards
In this video all the winners and among them also Il Volo.
Lots of images, there was no doubt, for such a special evening.
All elegant for the evening of the screening and the award ceremony, but unfortunately we cannot have any advance for the short film.
Too bad, we would have closed a great day in style, but I think we will have to wait a little longer to see the images shot inside the Frasassi Caves.
Meanwhile, in an interview, Il Volo stated that their new CD will be released on November 5th.
Today’s story is about the guys meeting, ironing out the wrinkles, developing a friendship and becoming Brothers!
When these three young men started out, they were 15 and 16 years old. Think of being 15 or 16 years old and you have a dream, and someone tells you that that dream, needs to be shared. To fulfill that dream you have to leave your family, your friends, your home, you have to go to another country and, you have to share this journey with two people who you really know nothing about except that they had the same dream you did. You have to trust that the decision that was made by you and your family, was the right decision. If not, it’s back to square one! You’re going to be lonely and, you have to learn to survive without the people you love. So, you learn to lean on one another. That dependence turns into a friendship and that friendship into a brotherhood. It enabled them to trust enough to collaborate and perfect something truly amazing. Something that revolutionized the music industry. Let me go further by showing you a collaboration by these three amazing, very, very talented, young men that is so unreal that it boggles your mind. This is a collaboration of love. You will notice that the whole Orchestra is in awe and Giampiero Grani can’t stop smiling. Stop and listen to this performance of “Por Una Cabeza”.
Look at how they smile at one another during the performance. A smile that says yes that’s it! Their faces are ablaze! Their expressions let one another know that it works. And, finally, when it’s over, they are so excited they can hardly contain themselves. Look at how their faces are lit up! Their joy is shown in their amazing, smiles and their embraces! This says it all! They are brothers who love one another!
To help you understand this relationship better, I am including an article from October 10, 2019, which was translated by Daniela and, explains in the guys’ own words how they grew together.
The well-known Italian magazine SORRISI E CANZONI TV, dedicated the cover photo and presented a beautiful interview of Il Volo by Solange Savagnone. But before we begin, let’s see what the guys were up to!
Budapest! The stained-glass window of the room overlooks a square in the historic center. Inside, in a secluded area, a group of people are in tears from laughing. Ignazio has just hit the center, on the third attempt, throwing a cap with his thumb into a mug of beer on the opposite side of the table.
Gianluca, between a miso soup and shrimp in tempura, interrupts the jokes to greet a young Greek tourist who approaches to ask for a selfie. And while Ignazio sings the tune of a robiola commercial and Piero chats with his friend Priscilla Presley, Michele Torpedine uses his chopsticks from his Japanese dinner to present his first career in life, that of a drummer.
The scene seems crazy to us but it’s perfectly normal for the guys.
“We like to say that it is ten years of friendship! Music and loyalty are the most important thing,” explains Gianluca. “We are three leaders and sometimes it is not easy to live together, but we have grown together and, we have helped each other, both professionally and humanly. We are like brothers.” And that sums it up but it’s only the beginning of my article.
The exact day in which their partnership was born was April 25th, 2009, the third episode of Ti Lascio Una Canzone. But of course, this is the part of the story that everyone knows. So, without delay let us go to the interview.
How have you changed since then?
Ignazio: In addition to changing physically, we have grown professionally. On stage, however, we feel the same adrenaline of the early days. Singing for us is not a job, but a passion, a fun, a way to feel complete.
The first time you met, what did you think of each other?
Piero: Ignazio was unpleasant to me. I remember him on the bus he was singing, but he was also the first one I tied with. Gianluca, instead, was in the group of dudes ……
Ignazio: I never thought about this, Gianluca was on the sidelines, but then it was natural to be together.
Gianluca: When you’re small and you’re on Rai1, you do everything they tell you. The program lasted nine weeks and we were rivals, a bit of envy was created and, in those days we exchanged only a few words. But the success we received was incredible.
What’s left of those kids?
Piero: Everything. We are always us and we have fun at every concert. We have the same passion and spontaneity of those times. Before going on stage, we laugh about everything. We do not follow a script. We help each other and we get excited a little. We are not spoiled. We have certain needs, just because we need them to stay healthy and do concerts well. The responsibility we have towards those who work with us, and the public, is enormous. If one of us gets sick and misses two or three concerts, it’s a disaster. So, to avoid the risk, maybe we avoid going to the disco.
Ignazio: Also, because we always sing live. This summer, for example, after the concert in Palermo, I didn’t go out with friends, because the next day we had another concert in Taormina.
Gianluca: Musically speaking, we are always in search of perfection, and we strive to grow and make people understand who we are.
How can you grow as brothers without being brothers?
Piero: It was difficult, but lately our relationship has improved. Before, we were spiteful, now we openly say to each other, what is wrong. There is no grudge between us.
Gianluca: There is a difference between being together for work, or by choice. In the first case there is a little tension, when instead we are together to have fun, it is another thing, indeed we should do it more often.
You have very different characters. What is your way of living love, family, friendship and social media?
Ignazio: I am the least social of the three. I know it’s important to keep my private for myself. A little privacy, it takes. My character is particular, I am sensitive, but very strong and hard. I do everything, but you must respect me.
Gianluca: I am a little narcissistic because I need confirmation. In kindergarten, I always asked the teacher twice if I was good. And this insecurity, I brought it with me, until today.
Every day I speak to my parents, my dearest ones, my girlfriend. I vent with them, as well as with Piero and Ignazio. We love each other. On social media, if I put lots of photos, the fans are happy, the haters are a little less, but I continue to be myself.
Piero: We can’t hide anything between us. If I lie, they notice it. With the people I know and choose, I am very generous, open, sunny. But I only trust my best friend, my brother and my sister. I have a big flaw: for me, either it’s white or it’s black, I give you my heart, but if you do me a wrong, you’re dead.
Gianluca: I have learned that we must try to understand why a person behaves in a certain way. I never hold a grudge. Piero instead gets angry, for the criticisms and the free offenses.
Piero: In fact, before I used social media so much, now only for work things.
The secrets of your success?
Piero: The first is that we study a lot. The second is our manager, Torpedine, who has been following us for years. The third is the music we sing.
Gianluca: But talent and work alone are not enough, sometimes timing counts. To be recognized, you have to be special, and we were the first to perform at a very young age, in bel canto: this struck people’s hearts.
Who are the hottest fans?
Gianluca: Perhaps the South Americans. (Torpedine told us that in Mexico, fans broke through the window of the hotel where they were staying.)
Piero: But even in Bulgaria, they showed us unexpected affection. And the Japanese, apparently so rigid, go wild during the concerts and come to the front of the stage.
Gianluca: Let’s say that with our performances, we help the public to free themselves. We tend to make a very engaging event, not a serious concert.
How can you not let this go to your head?
Gianluca: With intelligence you cannot get carried away by the wave of success, but the people who follow you and the support of the family matter a lot. Staying attached to the origins is the most important thing. If you let it go to your head, then people will notice it.
What are you missing when you’re on tour?
Gianluca: Normal life.
Ignazio: Waking up at home, carrying the dog around, everyday life.
Piero: After the concert at the Arena di Verona, I went home one day and enjoyed that moment, like never before. I felt an immense pleasure in going to the laundry and to the yogurt shop: it was how I did it for the first time.
Do you want to try your hand at some other musical genre?
Gianluca: If we changed genre, we would no longer be us and people would no longer recognize our music.
In ten years, how do you see yourself?
Ignazio: Ten years ago, they asked us the same thing and we didn’t know what to answer. Our way of thinking has changed: so, I would have answered married, with children, today not. Situations change.
Piero: I don’t know, new artists are born every day, the future is a question mark. We hope not to disappoint the fans.
Who do you want to thank for what you are now?
Piero: If today we celebrate ten years of career it is thanks to the fans, we have grown together and we hope to celebrate with them 50 years of career!
Gianluca: We thank the musical heritage we have, the bel canto, which has allowed us to travel around the world.
Ignazio: Words are not enough to thank all those who deserve it. I say thanks to those who believed in us, Michele Torpedine, our manager, and those who work closely with us. And thanks to life, for what he has given us: voice and luck (words that are tattooed on Ignazio’s arm).
Piero: And thanks to Sorrisi for this cover and for having always supported us.
How about when you are on tour or in your hotel rooms etc.
Piero: In the room I always ask that they cover the carpet with sheets, because I am allergic and, I must preserve the voice. I always have two suitcases, a big one with all the clothes and things I need (including Sicilian vacuum-packed almonds and natural tuna in a can) and an emergency trolley, with a second dress for the concert, for safety. And an agenda on which I record the commitments. Including this interview for Sorrisi.
Ignazio: When I’m on tour, in Italy, I always carry my guitar with me, abroad, unfortunately not. I go to the gym in fact we only choose hotels with a fitness area. In the room I relax as much as possible, maybe watching a soccer game on my mobile (I support Juventus). I also play football, as an offensive midfielder, and I’m pretty good. In fact, when I’m at home, every Wednesday, I go to play with friends. And when I can, I make two tennis matches with Piero.
Gianluca: I have no special requests and I adapt easily. I am very tidy, almost maniacal, I keep everything perfectly folded and, I even line up my slippers. I am lactose intolerant and pay attention to what I eat: rice, fish, vegetables, protein snacks and for breakfast pancakes with egg whites and peanut butter. Once a week we “go” with a pizza. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and, I have never been drunk in my life, because I don’t like losing control. I train early in the morning and go for a run. Sport has changed my character. I have become more willing and disciplined.
In the final chapter of their book,Un’avventura straordinario, La nostra storia(An Extraordinary Adventure, Our Story)the guys sum of their life story. I can’t think of a better way to sum up my story than by having them sum up their story as they did in their book where….
…. the true and only secret of the success of our three lives is told.
When they asked us to write this book, our first thought was, “Finally,” finally we can tell the truth.” In a three-minute interview you cannot tell a life, but in a book yes. And that’s what we tried to do in these pages: tell our true story.
Which is a normal story, of three guys like many who had a great passion and were lucky enough to be able to transform that passion into what today makes them live and makes them famous.
Being successful is beautiful, it would be stupid to say no after we have so dreamed and desired, but you need to quickly understand something, and that is, that it is not only our merit.
The people who follow us have a large part of that merit.
And knowing it is what gratifies us the most.
It is wonderful to know that we have shared our emotions with those who listen to us.
That’s why we work, and that’s why we try to give everything when we sing, we live in a concert or recording studio. And that’s why we do our work always with the maximum of passion, so that we can create what for us is magic, the magic of emotion that passes from our voices to people.
Fans are the reason, the only real explanation of what happened to us from 2009 till today, the records, the tours around the world, the victory at Sanremo, what we are finally living in Italy.
During a concert we would like to embrace all the people before us, one by one, we would like to be able to say: “Thank you!” with our voices to all. And we want to thank them if we are in the studio to record, if we fill the halls in concerts, if we are in the charts, if we go around the world.
Our “fans” are everything!
…. for all we have done so far, let’s say thanks to those who have followed us. And we will continue our great adventure together!
I think their interview and the book have come together to show How Strangers Became Brothers!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
Staying in Hungry, today I would like to share with you a letter from Adrienn Gyorffy who lives in Hungry.
Dear Ladies, Il Volo Flight Crew!
I have been reading your newsletter for a few months now, and first of all I would like to thank you for all the news and information you share. I am a new fan of the guys, and thanks to Il Volo Flight Crew I have learnt a lot from them.
I am not an extroverted person so, I have not commented on the articles, news. But now I have felt an urge to share my story with you and to start a little diary of my last and next couple of days, just for fun, for myself. So, I share my story with you. It might be interesting for you. A small piece from the other end of the world, from Hungary 🙂
Good to have you, hope you will enjoy my story.
Love, Adrienn
My journey to the land of Il Volo ~ Love at first sight
It happened sometime during the pandemic, when people lost their hope, and the well-known world of ours turned upside down. I was looking for something which is stable, predictable, comforting. And it was my childhood, the lovely memories of my first holiday in Italy…
I was about 8 in 1982, when for the first time, I stepped into the land of the “Poisonous WEST” over the Iron Curtain. To a child brought up in communist Hungary, it was like the Garden of Eden. The sun, the sea, oranges straight from the tree (we could get oranges and bananas only a few times of the year if my mom was lucky enough to get a few after hours of queuing, strictly for us, for the children. Even if she was yearning for a bite, she would never eat one as it was a great treasure), and of course Italian music.
So going back to my original story when I started losing my hope during the pandemic, I started listening to the music of my childhood, the music that my parents were listening to, Al Bano and Romina Power, Toto Cutugno, Ricchi e Poveri etc. It brought back all the lovely memories. I was searching on the web for all the old and new appearances of them, when I encountered this:
I was enchanted by the voice of the young guy. He was so cute, still his voice was a miracle. I could feel goose bumps all over my arms. So, I wrote a name into my browser: Ignazio Boschetto…… and I was lost or saved forever!
As I learned, he was not a little boy anymore, but a handsome young man, with two other remarkable young artists, Piero Barone, Gianluca Ginoble – Il Volo.
I have never been a fan type of girl. I learnt musical instruments and loved music and was listening to music all the time, when I was younger, but never had anybody I was rajong (crazy about). But now at the age of 47 it struck me, and specially the impact of their music on me. It brought back the energy, the hope, the love of life, the dreams one tends to lose as time goes by. It pulled me out from the egyszínű (solid) weekdays when I was operating as Mom only. I found my ego and have my dreams and desires back again. Their music has filled me up with vitality and it still does. When I am tired, feeling down or just lost, I listen to Il Volo and I am back to normal, or when I am feeling gracious for my life I also listen to the guys and, I get even closer to the One I have to say thank you for my wonderful life.
So here I was the new fan of Il Volo, reading all the news I could find about them, especially Il Volo Flight Crew, where I learnt their history as well. I was listening to all the interviews. Luckily the English ones were not a problem, but the Italian interviews shows their real personalities, so I decided to start learning Italian to understand them J And I also started to look for the concert venues to be able to see them live. You can imagine how furious I was when I found out at the spring of 2021 that they were in Hungary in 2019. But as a real fan (sometimes I feel like a teenager, they should be fans, not Moms with two children) I didn’t give up. Then the next obstacle was, that during Covid you cannot travel and besides all the concerts were cancelled, but miracles DO happen…
I was at Lake Balaton with my 10-year-old when scrolling the social media, I read somewhere that the only European concert which is not postponed is the one in Croatia. It is 5 hours driving from here…
I am not a spontaneous woman, especially not since I have had my children, but it struck me. I called my husband, saying that I have to go, sorted out the children with the help of my mom and bought the ticket 2 days before the concert. And YES, here I am, I am going to Il Volo concert to Opatija tomorrow!!! Whish me luck and will come back with the details of the concert soon.
